Forty-seven Fijians have declared their interest to be part of Fiji’s sugar industry.
This was after 39 of these new sugar cane growers signed their grant agreement in Lautoka today.
The event was officiated by permanent secretary for Sugar, Yogesh Karan.
“It is anticipated these new farmers would increase the sugarcane production by 54, 200 tons of cane since the inception of the New Farmers Assistance Scheme in 2017,” Mr Karan said.
Under this new grant agreement, the Ministry of Sugar meets the growers cost of lease acquisition and assist in establishing their farms by providing free fertilisers, free weedicides and grant for land preparation and planting of sugar cane for maximum of five acres.
An additional eight new growers will sign their grant agreement in Labasa next week.
